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Friday, May 1, 2009

Biscornu pincushion

Here's another quick pincushion tutorial,this one is called a biscornu, a french word meaning irregular. Mostly they are small and there are some gorgeous ones done with embroidery but this one is a simple fabric one. They are best made small because the larger they get, the more distorted they look.This one is for you Crispy Cut two 4 1/2" squares in contrasting fabrics.

Draw the sewing lines 1/4" in from the edges on both squares. Also mark the mid points of the squares. At this point, you can snip half wayonly into the seam allowance on the halfway points you just marked.

Lower your stitch length down and pin the squares right sides together as the photo shows below. The edge of the top is pinned to a halfway point on the bottom square.

Do not sew into the seam allowances. Start by back stitching at the start and end of the seam allowances. You can click on the pictures for a closer view.

Now if your a whiz, you can pivot when you get to the end of this first seam. If you are not so good at that like me, back stitch, take it out of the machine and pivot and pin again to the next seam.

Keep going around the square the same way until you get to the last one which you will leave open. Trim off the corners about 1/8" from the seam.

Turn it right side out and stuff.

Hand sew the last seam closed.

Find the midpoint of the pincushion and mark with a dot or a pin and sew two buttons on, one on the top and one on the bottom. You will need a long needle like a doll sculpting needle and strong thread such as quilting thread. Pull on the thread as you sew the buttons down to create the indentation in the middle

24 comments:

Tres Bien Janet, I have to say that Biscornu are not my favourite pincushion but I think that has been mainly because I have seen them cross stitch/Backstitched with beads ete etc but I love this one, elegant with its simplicity.

Hi, Janet. These are darling. They look kinda difficult but I suspect once I'd get started on it, it would work itself out. :) I have made about 5 of the little origami thread holders of yours. I FINALLY figured that out. Thanks for the tutorials again. Linda

I really love these little biscornu's. The ones with the embroidering or cross stichwork are pretty neat but this is a great tutorial. If I could, if I had the skill, I'd try it. But as it is, cryin' shame and all that, my talent is limited.

Just looking at these, they look rather complicated. Not so. Easy-peasy! If I can do it without messing it up anyone can LOL Thanks for the great tutorial and photos. Now I need to find a group doing a pincushion swap! BTW, what does biscornu mean?